1. How important is a comprehensive land and water use plan, and why has the territory been unable in more than 20 years of effort to enact one? What will it take to change this, and what, if anything, will you do bring about such change?
A comprehensive land and water use plan is indeed very important for each island in the Territory of the Virgin Islands. A comprehensive plan for the Virgin Islands as a territory seems practically impossible to be agreed upon by the territorial politicians and should be pursued by each island for itself, in compliance with law and with the guidance of planners and professionals employed by the government. Spot zoning is illegal and must be stopped. Bornn and Golden have been longtime supporters of planned growth. Green areas, environmentally and historically significant areas should be acquired by the Virgin Island Government or preserved for the future.
2. How important is private and public sector partnering, and how can such partnering best be accomplished in order to be most effective in addressing economic and social problems in the territory?
Private and public sector partnering is most important. Government's role is to develop an environment and atmosphere to grow the private sector. Government should do only what the private sector can not. The government and private sector must work together to grow the entire Virgin Islands. One must first take corruption out of the system, then operate government as efficiently as possible then joint venture with private concerns to deliver service and product to the community. We must create a level playing field whereby effective and fair partnerships can be created and not merely line the pockets of political cronies.
3. What are the biggest problems in the public education system, and what will it take to solve them? What will you do toward getting them solved?
We spend $9,000 per student in the public school system. Money is not the problem, it is management. Site based management must be enacted whereby principals are empowered and held accountable to operate schools. The confusion between the Board and the Department of Education is a major problem. The Board must set policies and standards and the Department of Education implement the policies and standards. Additional problems include political hiring of principals and superintendents, rather than by merit, and the lack of an effective testing system. Testing is a positive tool for students and teachers, not a burden. The lack of adequate supplies and school maintenance are other pressing problems. The Bornn / Golden team will codify the Board / Department of Education relationship to ensure compliance and install site-based management to solve the problems on a school by school basis. Principals know more about their schools' problems and solutions than any governor, commissioner or superintendent.
4. How do you feel about floating future bonds to finance government initiatives, given the territory's present bond indebtedness of more than $1 billion? What will you do to persuade others of your views?
The Virgin Islands spends 800 million dollars in local and federal money annually for 108,000 people. That is $8,000 for every man, woman and child in the Virgin Islands. We do not have a revenue problem, we have an expense and management problem. By eliminating corruption, installing decentralized government and hiring based on merit rather than political affiliation, the Bornn / Golden team will create an efficient government. Millions of dollars will be saved to meet our pressing economic and social needs. In addition, by growing the economy including overnight tourism, Home Porting, Cruzan Rum, Hovensa, developing aqua farming, healthcare and the retirement industry, expanding agriculture, the financial and captive insurance industries we will generate millions to amortize the staggering debt. Bonds will be floated only to build and to develop capital projects not to pay operating expenses. I will convince others by merely not authorizing bonds for anything other than capital projects.
5. What is the most viable solution to the territory's solid-waste disposal problems? What will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
To arrive at the most viable solution to the Territory's solid waste disposal problem requires more than to ask a layman what it is. Each island has a solid waste problem. Garbage separation by generators of garbage, mulching, aluminum can collection, paper and cardboard collection, gassification and other garbage reduction plans all offer partial solutions. Cost is a critical factor. The CWT deal must be scrapped. A new process must be started as soon as possible and all solutions evaluated on a level playing field to obtain a cost effective, environmentally friendly solution.
6. What is the most viable solution to the territory's sewage disposal problems? What will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
We must first recognize that each island has a sewage problem. The federal government funded much of the design and construction of the sewage systems on each island. Certain requirements were imposed, for example, sewer disposal laws and rules and regulations that comply with the federal laws and rules were required to be put into effect. Sewer connections, where lines are available, are mandatory, and a sewer users fee, adequate to maintain, operate, repair and replace the system, had to be developed. Operation of sewage systems must be handled by qualified, certified sewer plan operators. If Public Works cannot operate each system in compliance with federal and local laws, it should request qualifications of available operators and then request proposals calculating annual operating costs. Each island's solutions may be different. St. Croix needs secondary treatment to utilize the wastewater in the agriculture industry. Secondary treatment in St. Thomas may not be as viable. Once again a level playing field must be created and all solutions evaluated and the most cost effective, environmentally friendly solution implemented. Federal money is available to implement a solution.
7. How do you assess the economy of the Virgin Islands at this time, and what do you see as its best hope for growth? What will you do to foster that growth?
The economy of the Virgin Islands is in fact a St. Thomas / St. John economy and a St. Croix economy. St. Thomas tourism, government and commercial economy generally operates independent of the St. Croix industrial, agricultural and tourism economy. Crime is affecting each island's economy and must be rapidly brought under control. St. Croix is in a state of depression and St. Thomas is faltering as well. St. john is progressing, but creating a state of haves and have-nots. Tourism is still our foundation. Service must be improved. Advertising and marketing must be improved and increased. Airlift must be attracted. The financial industry offers great potential and must be marketed more aggressively utilizing the office of the Governor. Local small business must be developed. It is great to attract new residents and business owners to the islands, but if we do not entice and encourage our existing residents to get into business we will create a society of haves and have-nots and social chaos will follow. The Bornn / Golden platform emphasizes 7 growth industries for the Virgin Islands.
8. How pervasive is corruption within the local government, and how should this problem, if you consider it to be a problem, best be addressed?
Corruption is pervasive. The government is completely immersed in corruption. We can best begin to address this problem by simply taking the Inspector General's Reports (both federal and local) and start prosecuting where criminal activities are indicated. We can also demand compliance with the laws of the Virgin Islands, the Personnel Merit System for employment, rather than "political" contracts, and property and procuremen
t laws for purchasing and contracting. Equal treatment under the laws must be a standard and prosecuting of all offenses equal, with tough enforcement must be the routine. Full cooperation with all federal law enforcement agencies will be routine.
9. What is the most viable solution to Government Employees Retirement System payouts exceeding revenues, and what will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
The Government Employee Retirement System (GERS) situation has gotten so far out of hand that the solution will be as painful as the actual bankruptcy. The Government must begin paying down the un-funded liability in annual amounts of not less than $30,000,000.00 per year. A second tier plan must be created for all new career employees, not as generous as the present plan, less costly to government and to employees. Non-career unclassified, political employees may be offered a plan that can be transported to other employment when temporary service is completed. This should be at a significantly lower cost to government.
10. What is the most viable solution to government spending exceeding revenues, and what will you do to advance the implementation of this solution?
The most viable solution to government spending exceeding revenues is that the Governor hire a hard-nosed Budget Director and a competent Commissioner of Finance to strictly adhere to the letter of the law, reporting all violating Certifying Officers who authorize expenditures when no funds are appropriated or allotted. Years in jail and heavy fines are provided for by law.
11. How do alignments between majority and minority blocs in the Legislature and adversarial relationships between the legislative and executive branches of government serve the best interests of the people of the Virgin Islands?
Alignments between majority and minority blocks in a legislature are normal phenomena, as when the majority is Democrat or Republican the other is minority. Those in the majority lead in the organizing of the Legislature. A diligent minority assures full debate and full consideration of subject matter. The fact that the Executive and Legislative majority are of different affiliations (example the USA presently) even further guarantees the citizens full and good review of all matters. All public servants and respect of individuals will be maintained and even demanded.
